Opening in 2022, the highly anticipated Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel on the Gold Coast offers the brand’s renowned experience, with Chuan, meaning ‘flowing water’, at the very heart of this beachside escape, writes Cameron Pine.
An all-encompassing atmosphere from the minute you arrive at the drive-in between the towers of the 169 hotel room and 170 residence Langham Hotel, The Chuan Spa is not just an added aspect of service – from every custom cabinetry and curved walls throughout the tranquil space, the focus is wholeheartedly on an elevated customer journey.
Guided by principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the expansive space has eight of the largest treatment rooms I’ve seen in a spa for a while, including two couple rooms, along with male and female saunas, and a diamond-shaped indoor pool that offers calming glimpses of the ocean, and the warmth of the robe-life we’ve come to love indulging in a world-class spa.
The Chuan way almost majestically teaches you ‘how to spa’ whether you are a novice at the process at this end of town or not. With the slower pace, the luxurious arrival and a fitout reflects the services on offer, you’re in for an advanced service.
When arriving at Chuan Spa you will be asked to complete a brief lifestyle elemental questionnaire to determine which treatment style will best suit your needs based on the day, with room for customisation and key adaptabilities in every service at the heart of the Chuan experience.
They recommend time to shower and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the wet facilities – hot tubs, saunas and the swimming pool – so you will be closer to harmony before the treatment even begins.
Designed by Studio Aria, the focus is on quality materials, such as luxury marbles and a welcoming yet neutral palette of striking earthy tones – reflective of the five elements the spa’s name is synonymous with.
“We designed Chuan at the Langham Gold Coast with the emphasis on calm. The introduction to the Spa experience commences at the first floor lift lobby, where a textured signature waterwall imbues that sense of calm,” said Studio Aria Principal of Design, Paul Greenwood.
The journey begins as soon as you arrive at the hotel, and from here, the guests make their way to the reception, which has consciously been isolated from the more active areas of the hotel.
“The spa reception gives way to a sequence of spaces that progressively become quieter and more serene. The journey continues through the signature ‘Moon Gate’ entrance past another waterwall into the consultation, contemplation and product retail zone. Next is the relaxation zone with its double and single relaxation pods and finally, the quietest spaces of all, the treatment rooms themselves,” Paul said.
The materials, finishes and textures selected are very understated, incorporating the muted tones of the coast, the beach and the surf, but with an almost oriental sense of detail.
Chuan Spa treatments and products are guided by the Five Elements theory, wood, fire, earth, metal, water, and designed to create a canopy of seclusion from the outside world, embracing a natural aesthetic with interiors evoking soft and calming hues. The exclusive treatment facilities include a couple’s room steam shower, saunas and the magnesium indoor pool, which, alongside The Langham’s exceptional service, makes Chuan Spa the perfect place to rediscover your source, even for just an hour or a day.
Each guest chooses their essential oil that they wish for the treatment on arrival, customising the experience based on the body’s needs or desires and bolstered by Biologique Recherche – the epitome of French skincare. Created in a Parisian research laboratory by the Allouche family, Yvan, Josette and Philippe Allouche, a biologist, physiotherapist and clinical doctor combined their knowledge and passion to write a revolutionary experience for the skin. The focus is on results without compromising luxury.
The spa is also supported by iKOU, a high-performance organic skincare range made in the World-Heritage Listed Blue Mountains, Australia. Creating luxury spa journeys inspired by nature, The brand offers sensory details of global spa culture and wellness for skin, mind and body infused into every experience.
The service menu ensures a host of remedial pressure options all the way from relaxing to native clay hot oil massages. The options are endless but more importantly the focus is on the individual preference.
The Native Clay hot oil massage is a fusion of ancient ayurvedic massage combined with native Australian ingredients. This unique massage begins by placing a ring of native clay on the back and hot, therapeutic oils continuously flowing to gently release spinal tension. A full body massage completes this meditative like treatment that will leave you deeply relaxed. The Harmony Massage is a popular treatment for its calming and healing properties – using pressure points and an almost ‘tapping’ like process to release pressure and stress.
The Superfood Facial promises fresh skin and is revealed with a natural AHA sugarcane and fruit enzyme peel. Illuminate the complexion and deliver a powerful active boost of cleansing, green superfoods.
Recommending guests to take their time relaxing in the surrounds of the spa, lying back in one of the many large private pods, by the pool on the lounges, or even making use of the state-of-the-art gym prior to the treatment, Chuan ensures all senses are in balance whether its beauty or mind you are looking to change.
At the luxury end of the scale, The Golden Opulence Journey commences with a 24kt gold full body exfoliation to prepare the body for the sumptuous nourishment that is to follow. The body is then drizzled with pure 24kt gold body oil and massaged with the world’s most opulent AMRA Gold Hot Stones. To bring this regal splendour to a close, senses are enlightened with the 24kt Gold Body Spritz and the hair becomes an olfactory sensation, allowing every movement to release the allure of True Gold. This ritual’s signature fragrance engulfs the senses and engages the mind to the most enigmatic state.
The customised combination of techniques and your choice of scent will allow you to relax and unwind with an aroma of elegance, with notes from rich amber and effervescent citrus to aromatic herbs. The experience at The Langham spans far from the signature scent in the lobby and beyond to a hotel stay that hits differently. With the choice of a large suite or residences with multiple bedrooms, stay a weekend or a week and enjoy the best of the experience of flowing water to transcend the Spa and become part of The Langham lifestyle.
For more information visit www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/gold-coast/wellness/
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